Apparatus, system and method of fine timing measurement (ftm)

ABSTRACT

Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of Fine Timing Measurement (FTM). For example, a first wireless station may be configured to transmit an FTM request message to a second wireless station; to transmit a first Non Data Packet (NDP) to the second wireless station; to process an FTM response message from the second wireless station; and to process a second NDP from the second wireless station.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of and priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/249,427 entitled “APPARATUS,SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FINE TIMING MEASUREMENT (FTM)”, filed Nov. 2, 2015,the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate Fine Timing Measurement(FTM).

BACKGROUND

Outdoor navigation is widely deployed thanks to the development ofvarious global-navigation-satellite-systems (GNSS), e.g., GlobalPositioning System (GPS), GALILEO, and the like.

Recently, there has been a lot of focus on indoor navigation. This fielddiffers from the outdoor navigation, since the indoor environment doesnot enable the reception of signals from GNSS satellites. As a result, alot of effort is being directed towards solving the indoor navigationproblem.

A Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) may include measuring a Round Trip Time(RTT) from a wireless station (STA) to a plurality of other STAs, forexample, to perform trilateration and/or calculate the location of theSTA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in thefigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to otherelements for clarity of presentation. Furthermore, reference numeralsmay be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogouselements. The figures are listed below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system, inaccordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM)procedure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a Non-Data-Packet (NDP) soundingprotocol, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of determining a Time of Arrival(ToA) of a packet, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an FTM protocol, in accordancewith some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram depicting operations and communicationsbetween an Initiating station (STA) and a Responding STA, in accordancewith some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of FTM, inaccordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a product, in accordance with somedemonstrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some embodiments.However, it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the artthat some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, unitsand/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscurethe discussion.

Discussions herein utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing”,“computing”, “calculating”, “determining”, “establishing”, “analyzing”,“checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) ofa computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or otherelectronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform datarepresented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within thecomputer's registers and/or memories into other data similarlyrepresented as physical quantities within the computer's registersand/or memories or other information storage medium that may storeinstructions to perform operations and/or processes.

The terms “plurality” and “a plurality”, as used herein, include, forexample, “multiple” or “two or more”. For example, “a plurality ofitems” includes two or more items.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “demonstrativeembodiment”, “various embodiments” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s)so described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated useof the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment, although it may.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinaladjectives “first”, “second”, “third” etc., to describe a common object,merely indicate that different instances of like objects are beingreferred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so describedmust be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking,or in any other manner.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices andsystems, for example, a User Equipment (UE), a sensor device, a wearabledevice, in Internet of Things (IoT) device, a Mobile Device (MD), awireless station (STA), a Personal Computer (PC), a desktop computer, amobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tabletcomputer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, anon-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, a vehiculardevice, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a consumerdevice, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a wireless communicationstation, a wireless communication device, a wireless Access Point (AP),a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a video device,an audio device, an audio-video (A/V) device, a wired or wirelessnetwork, a wireless area network, a Wireless Video Area Network (WVAN),a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), a Personal AreaNetwork (PAN), a Wireless PAN (WPAN), and the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with devices and/or networksoperating in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 standards (includingIEEE 802.11-2012, IEEE Standard for Informationtechnology—Telecommunications and information exchange between systemsLocal and metropolitan area networksSpecific requirements Part 11:Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)Specifications, Mar. 29, 2012; IEEE802.11ac-2013 (“IEEE P802.11ac-2013,IEEE Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications andInformation Exchange Between Systems—Local and Metropolitan AreaNetworks—Specific Requirements—Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium AccessControl (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications—Amendment 4:Enhancements for Very High Throughput for Operation in Bands below 6GHz”, December, 2013); IEEE 802.11ad (“IEEE P802.11ad-2012, IEEEStandard for Information Technology—Telecommunications and InformationExchange Between Systems—Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—SpecificRequirements—Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) andPhysical Layer (PHY) Specifications—Amendment 3: Enhancements for VeryHigh Throughput in the 60 GHz Band”, 28 Dec. 2012); IEEE-802.11REVmc(“IEEE 802.11-REVmc™/D3.0, June 2014 draft standard for Informationtechnology—Telecommunications and information exchange between systemsLocal and metropolitan area networks Specific requirements; Part 11:Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)Specification”); and/or IEEE 802.11az (IEEE 802.11az, Next GenerationPositioning)) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devicesand/or networks operating in accordance with existing WiFi Alliance(WFA) Specifications (including Wi-Fi Neighbor Awareness Networking(NAN) Technical Specification, Version 1.0, May 1, 2015) and/or futureversions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operatingin accordance with existing WFA Peer-to-Peer (P2P) specifications(including WiFi P2P technical specification, version 1.5, Aug. 4, 2014)and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/ornetworks operating in accordance with existing Wireless-Gigabit-Alliance(WGA) specifications (including Wireless Gigabit Alliance, Inc WiGig MACand PHY Specification Version 1.1, April 2011, Final specification)and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/ornetworks operating in accordance with existing cellular specificationsand/or protocols, e.g., 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPPLong Term Evolution (LTE) and/or future versions and/or derivativesthereof, units and/or devices which are part of the above networks, andthe like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one way and/or two-wayradio communication systems, cellular radio-telephone communicationsystems, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, aPersonal Communication Systems (PCS) device, a PDA device whichincorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portableGlobal Positioning System (GPS) device, a device which incorporates aGPS receiver or transceiver or chip, a device which incorporates an RFIDelement or chip, a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transceiver ordevice, a Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) transceiver or device, aMultiple Input Single Output (MISO) transceiver or device, a devicehaving one or more internal antennas and/or external antennas, DigitalVideo Broadcast (DVB) devices or systems, multi-standard radio devicesor systems, a wired or wireless handheld device, e.g., a Smartphone, aWireless Application Protocol (WAP) device, or the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types ofwireless communication signals and/or systems, for example, RadioFrequency (RF), Infra Red (IR), Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM),Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access(OFDMA), Spatial Divisional Multiple Access (SDMA), FDM Time-DivisionMultiplexing (TDM), Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Multi-UserMIMO (MU-MIMO), Extended TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet Radio Service(GPRS), extended GPRS, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), WidebandCDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier CDMA,Multi-Carrier Modulation (MDM), Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT), Bluetooth®,Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee™, Ultra-Wideband(UWB), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 3.5G,4G, Fifth Generation (5G) mobile networks, 3GPP, Long Term Evolution(LTE), LTE advanced, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), orthe like. Other embodiments may be used in various other devices,systems and/or networks.

The term “wireless device”, as used herein, includes, for example, adevice capable of wireless communication, a communication device capableof wireless communication, a communication station capable of wirelesscommunication, a portable or non-portable device capable of wirelesscommunication, or the like. In some demonstrative embodiments, awireless device may be or may include a peripheral that is integratedwith a computer, or a peripheral that is attached to a computer. In somedemonstrative embodiments, the term “wireless device” may optionallyinclude a wireless service.

The term “communicating” as used herein with respect to a communicationsignal includes transmitting the communication signal and/or receivingthe communication signal. For example, a communication unit, which iscapable of communicating a communication signal, may include atransmitter to transmit the communication signal to at least one othercommunication unit, and/or a communication receiver to receive thecommunication signal from at least one other communication unit. Theverb communicating may be used to refer to the action of transmitting orthe action of receiving. In one example, the phrase “communicating asignal” may refer to the action of transmitting the signal by a firstdevice, and may not necessarily include the action of receiving thesignal by a second device. In another example, the phrase “communicatinga signal” may refer to the action of receiving the signal by a firstdevice, and may not necessarily include the action of transmitting thesignal by a second device.

Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a WLAN,e.g., a wireless fidelity (WiFi) network. Other embodiments may be usedin conjunction with any other suitable wireless communication network,for example, a wireless area network, a “piconet”, a WPAN, a WVAN andthe like.

Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with awireless communication network communicating over a frequency band of2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. However, other embodiments may be implementedutilizing any other suitable wireless communication frequency bands, forexample, an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) band (the millimeter wave(mmWave) frequency band), e.g., a frequency band within the frequencyband of between 20 Ghz and 300 GHZ, a WLAN frequency band, a WPANfrequency band, and the like.

As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to, be part of, orinclude, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), anintegrated circuit, an electronic circuit, a processor (shared,dedicated, or group), and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group), thatexecute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logiccircuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide thedescribed functionality. In some embodiments, the circuitry may beimplemented in, or functions associated with the circuitry may beimplemented by, one or more software or firmware modules. In someembodiments, circuitry may include logic, at least partially operable inhardware.

The term “logic” may refer, for example, to computing logic embedded incircuitry of a computing apparatus and/or computing logic stored in amemory of a computing apparatus. For example, the logic may beaccessible by a processor of the computing apparatus to execute thecomputing logic to perform computing functions and/or operations. In oneexample, logic may be embedded in various types of memory and/orfirmware, e.g., silicon blocks of various chips and/or processors. Logicmay be included in, and/or implemented as part of, various circuitry,e.g. radio circuitry, receiver circuitry, control circuitry, transmittercircuitry, transceiver circuitry, processor circuitry, and/or the like.In one example, logic may be embedded in volatile memory and/ornon-volatile memory, including random access memory, read only memory,programmable memory, magnetic memory, flash memory, persistent memory,and/or the like. Logic may be executed by one or more processors usingmemory, e.g., registers, buffers, stacks, and the like, coupled to theone or more processors, e.g., as necessary to execute the logic.

The term “antenna”, as used herein, may include any suitableconfiguration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antennaelements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. In someembodiments, the antenna may implement transmit and receivefunctionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements. Insome embodiments, the antenna may implement transmit and receivefunctionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receiveelements. The antenna may include, for example, a phased array antenna,a single element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and/or thelike.

The phrase “peer to peer (PTP) communication”, as used herein, mayrelate to device-to-device communication over a wireless link(“peer-to-peer link”) between devices. The PTP communication mayinclude, for example, a WiFi Direct (WFD) communication, e.g., a WFDPeer to Peer (P2P) communication, wireless communication over a directlink within a Quality of Service (QoS) basic service set (BSS), atunneled direct-link setup (TDLS) link, a STA-to-STA communication in anindependent basic service set (IBSS), or the like.

Some demonstrative embodiments are described herein with respect to WiFicommunication. However, other embodiments may be implemented withrespect to any other communication scheme, network, standard and/orprotocol.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which schematically illustrates a blockdiagram of a system 100, in accordance with some demonstrativeembodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments system 100 mayinclude a wireless communication network including one or more wirelesscommunication devices, e.g., wireless communication devices 102 and/or140.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102and/or 140 may include, for example, a UE, an MD, a STA, an AP, a PC, adesktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, an Ultrabook™computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, ahandheld computer, a handheld device, an Internet of Things (IoT)device, a sensor device, a wearable device, a PDA device, a handheld PDAdevice, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device (e.g.,combining cellular phone functionalities with PDA devicefunctionalities), a consumer device, a vehicular device, a non-vehiculardevice, a mobile or portable device, a non-mobile or non-portabledevice, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a PCS device, a PDA devicewhich incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portableGPS device, a DVB device, a relatively small computing device, anon-desktop computer, a “Carry Small Live Large” (CSLL) device, an UltraMobile Device (UMD), an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), a Mobile Internet Device(MID), an “Origami” device or computing device, a device that supportsDynamically Composable Computing (DCC), a context-aware device, a videodevice, an audio device, an A/V device, a Set-Top-Box (STB), a Blu-raydisc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, aHigh Definition (HD) DVD player, a DVD recorder, a HD DVD recorder, aPersonal Video Recorder (PVR), a broadcast HD receiver, a video source,an audio source, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, abroadcast radio receiver, a flat panel display, a Personal Media Player(PMP), a digital video camera (DVC), a digital audio player, a speaker,an audio receiver, an audio amplifier, a gaming device, a data source, adata sink, a Digital Still camera (DSC), a media player, a Smartphone, atelevision, a music player, or the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 mayinclude, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or moreSTAs. For example, device 102 may include at least one STA, and/ordevice 140 may include at least one STA.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 mayinclude, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or moreWLAN STAs.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 mayinclude, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or moreWi-Fi STAs.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 mayinclude, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more BTdevices.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 mayinclude, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or moreNeighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) STAs.

In some demonstrative embodiments, one of wireless communication devices102 and/or 140, e.g., device 102, may include, operate as, and/orperform the functionality of a non-AP STA, and/or one of wirelesscommunication devices 102 and/or 140, e.g., device 140, may include,operate as, and/or perform the functionality of an AP STA. In otherembodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may operate as and/or perform thefunctionality of any other STA.

For example, the AP may include a router, a PC, a server, a Hot-Spotand/or the like.

In one example, a station (STA) may include a logical entity that is asingly addressable instance of a medium access control (MAC) andphysical layer (PHY) interface to the wireless medium (WM). The STA mayperform any other additional or alternative functionality.

In one example, an AP may include an entity that contains a station(STA), e.g., one STA, and provides access to distribution services, viathe wireless medium (WM) for associated STAs. The AP may perform anyother additional or alternative functionality.

In one example, a non-access-point (non-AP) station (STA) may include aSTA that is not contained within an AP. The non-AP STA may perform anyother additional or alternative functionality.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include, for example,one or more of a processor 191, an input unit 192, an output unit 193, amemory unit 194, and/or a storage unit 195; and/or device 140 mayinclude, for example, one or more of a processor 181, an input unit 182,an output unit 183, a memory unit 184, and/or a storage unit 185.Devices 102 and/or 140 may optionally include other suitable hardwarecomponents and/or software components. In some demonstrativeembodiments, some or all of the components of one or more of devices 102and/or 140 may be enclosed in a common housing or packaging, and may beinterconnected or operably associated using one or more wired orwireless links. In other embodiments, components of one or more ofdevices 102 and/or 140 may be distributed among multiple or separatedevices.

In some demonstrative embodiments, processor 191 and/or processor 181may include, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a DigitalSignal Processor (DSP), one or more processor cores, a single-coreprocessor, a dual-core processor, a multiple-core processor, amicroprocessor, a host processor, a controller, a plurality ofprocessors or controllers, a chip, a microchip, one or more circuits,circuitry, a logic unit, an Integrated Circuit (IC), anApplication-Specific IC (ASIC), or any other suitable multi-purpose orspecific processor or controller. Processor 191 executes instructions,for example, of an Operating System (OS) of device 102 and/or of one ormore suitable applications. Processor 181 executes instructions, forexample, of an Operating System (OS) of device 140 and/or of one or moresuitable applications.

In some demonstrative embodiments, input unit 192 and/or input unit 182may include, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch-screen,a touch-pad, a track-ball, a stylus, a microphone, or other suitablepointing device or input device. Output unit 193 and/or output unit 183includes, for example, a monitor, a screen, a touch-screen, a flat paneldisplay, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display unit, a Liquid CrystalDisplay (LCD) display unit, a plasma display unit, one or more audiospeakers or earphones, or other suitable output devices.

In some demonstrative embodiments, memory unit 194 and/or memory unit184 includes, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read OnlyMemory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SD-RAM), a flashmemory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a cache memory, abuffer, a short term memory unit, a long term memory unit, or othersuitable memory units. Storage unit 195 and/or storage unit 185includes, for example, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a CompactDisk (CD) drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive, or other suitableremovable or non-removable storage units. Memory unit 194 and/or storageunit 195, for example, may store data processed by device 102. Memoryunit 184 and/or storage unit 185, for example, may store data processedby device 140.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102and/or 140 may be capable of communicating content, data, informationand/or signals via a wireless medium (WM) 103. In some demonstrativeembodiments, wireless medium 103 may include, for example, a radiochannel, a cellular channel, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)Channel, an RF channel, a WiFi channel, an IR channel, a Bluetooth (BT)channel, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication medium 103 mayinclude a wireless communication channel over a 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz)frequency band, or a 5 GHz frequency band, a millimeterWave (mmWave)frequency band, e.g., a 60 GHz frequency band, a S1G band, and/or anyother frequency band.

In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and 140 may include oneor more radios to perform wireless communication between devices 102,140 and/or one or more other wireless communication devices. Forexample, device 102 may include a radio 114, and/or device 140 mayinclude a radio 144.

In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may includeone or more radios including circuitry and/or logic to perform wirelesscommunication between devices 102, 140 and/or one or more other wirelesscommunication devices. For example, device 102 may include a radio 114,and/or device 140 may include a radio 144.

In some demonstrative embodiments, radios 114 and/or 144 may include oneor more wireless receivers (Rx) including circuitry and/or logic toreceive wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks,transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data. Forexample, radio 114 may include at least one receiver 116, and/or radio144 may include at least one receiver 146.

In some demonstrative embodiments, radios 114 and/or 144 may include oneor more wireless transmitters (Tx) including circuitry and/or logic totransmit wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks,transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data. Forexample, radio 114 may include at least one transmitter 118, and/orradio 144 may include at least one transmitter 148.

In some demonstrative embodiments, radio 114 and/or radio 144,transmitters 118 and/or 148, and/or receivers 116 and/or 148 may includecircuitry; logic; Radio Frequency (RF) elements, circuitry and/or logic;baseband elements, circuitry and/or logic; modulation elements,circuitry and/or logic; demodulation elements, circuitry and/or logic;amplifiers; analog to digital and/or digital to analog converters;filters; and/or the like. For example, radio 114 and/or radio 144 mayinclude or may be implemented as part of a wireless Network InterfaceCard (NIC), and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, radios 114 and/or 144 may beconfigured to communicate over a 2.4 GHz band, a 5 GHz band, an mmWaveband, a S1G band, and/or any other band.

In some demonstrative embodiments, radios 114 and/or 144 may include, ormay be associated with, one or more antennas 107 and/or 147,respectively.

In one example, device 102 may include a single antenna 107. In anotherexample, device 102 may include two or more antennas 107.

In one example, device 140 may include a single antenna 147. In anotherexample, device 140 may include two or more antennas 147.

Antennas 107 and/or 147 may include any type of antennas suitable fortransmitting and/or receiving wireless communication signals, blocks,frames, transmission streams, packets, messages and/or data. Forexample, antennas 107 and/or 147 may include any suitable configuration,structure and/or arrangement of one or more antenna elements,components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. Antennas 107 and/or 147 mayinclude, for example, antennas suitable for directional communication,e.g., using beamforming techniques. For example, antennas 107 and/or 147may include a phased array antenna, a multiple element antenna, a set ofswitched beam antennas, and/or the like. In some embodiments, antennas107 and/or 147 may implement transmit and receive functionalities usingseparate transmit and receive antenna elements. In some embodiments,antennas 107 and/or 147 may implement transmit and receivefunctionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receiveelements.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include a controller124, and/or device 140 may include a controller 154. Controller 124 maybe configured to perform and/or to trigger, cause, instruct and/orcontrol device 102 to perform, one or more communications, to generateand/or communicate one or more messages and/or transmissions, and/or toperform one or more functionalities, operations and/or proceduresbetween devices 102, 140 and/or one or more other devices; and/orcontroller 154 may be configured to perform, and/or to trigger, cause,instruct and/or control device 140 to perform, one or morecommunications, to generate and/or communicate one or more messagesand/or transmissions, and/or to perform one or more functionalities,operations and/or procedures between devices 102, 140 and/or one or moreother devices, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controllers 124 and/or 154 mayinclude circuitry and/or logic, e.g., one or more processors includingcircuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, Media-AccessControl (MAC) circuitry and/or logic, Physical Layer (PHY) circuitryand/or logic, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, configured toperform the functionality of controllers 124 and/or 154, respectively.Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities ofcontrollers 124 and/or 154 may be implemented by logic, which may beexecuted by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as describedbelow.

In one example, controller 124 may include circuitry and/or logic, forexample, one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, tocause, trigger and/or control a wireless device, e.g., device 102,and/or a wireless station, e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device102, to perform one or more operations, communications and/orfunctionalities, e.g., as described herein.

In one example, controller 154 may include circuitry and/or logic, forexample, one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, tocause, trigger and/or control a wireless device, e.g., device 140,and/or a wireless station, e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device140, to perform one or more operations, communications and/orfunctionalities, e.g., as described herein.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include a messageprocessor 128 configured to generate, process and/or access one ormessages communicated by device 102.

In one example, message processor 128 may be configured to generate oneor more messages to be transmitted by device 102, and/or messageprocessor 128 may be configured to access and/or to process one or moremessages received by device 102, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may include a messageprocessor 158 configured to generate, process and/or access one ormessages communicated by device 140.

In one example, message processor 158 may be configured to generate oneor more messages to be transmitted by device 140, and/or messageprocessor 158 may be configured to access and/or to process one or moremessages received by device 140, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, message processors 128 and/or 158 mayinclude circuitry and/or logic, e.g., one or more processors includingcircuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, Media-AccessControl (MAC) circuitry and/or logic, Physical Layer (PHY) circuitryand/or logic, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, configured toperform the functionality of message processors 128 and/or 158,respectively. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalitiesof message processors 128 and/or 158 may be implemented by logic, whichmay be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., asdescribed below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality ofmessage processor 128 may be implemented as part of radio 114, and/or atleast part of the functionality of message processor 158 may beimplemented as part of radio 144.

In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality ofmessage processor 128 may be implemented as part of controller 124,and/or at least part of the functionality of message processor 158 maybe implemented as part of controller 154.

In other embodiments, the functionality of message processor 128 may beimplemented as part of any other element of device 102, and/or thefunctionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of anyother element of device 140.

In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality ofcontroller 124 and/or message processor 128 may be implemented by anintegrated circuit, for example, a chip, e.g., a System on Chip (SoC).In one example, the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or morefunctionalities of radio 114. For example, the chip or SoC may includeone or more elements of controller 124, one or more elements of messageprocessor 128, and/or one or more elements of radio 114. In one example,controller 124, message processor 128, and radio 114 may be implementedas part of the chip or SoC.

In other embodiments, controller 124, message processor 128 and/or radio114 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elementsof device 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality ofcontroller 154 and/or message processor 158 may be implemented by anintegrated circuit, for example, a chip, e.g., a System on Chip (SoC).In one example, the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or morefunctionalities of radio 144. For example, the chip or SoC may includeone or more elements of controller 154, one or more elements of messageprocessor 158, and/or one or more elements of radio 144. In one example,controller 154, message processor 158, and radio 144 may be implementedas part of the chip or SoC.

In other embodiments, controller 154, message processor 158 and/or radio144 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elementsof device 140.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102and/or 140 may form, or may communicate as part of, a wireless localarea network (WLAN).

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102and/or 140 may form, or may communicate as part of, a WiFi network.

In other embodiments, wireless communication devices 102 and/or 140 mayform, and/or communicate as part of, any other network.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include one or moreapplications configured to provide and/or to use one or more locationbased services, e.g., a social application, a navigation application, alocation based advertising application, and/or the like. For example,device 102 may include an application 125 to be executed by device 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, application 125 may use rangeinformation between devices 102 and 140, for example, to determine anestimated location of device 102, e.g., with respect to a coordinatesystem, e.g., a World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84), and/or a localcoordination.

In one example, device 102 may include a Smartphone and device 140 mayinclude an AP, which is located in a shop, e.g., in a shopping mall.According to this example, application 125 may use the range informationto determine a relative location of device 102 with respect to device140, for example, to receive sale offers from the shop.

In another example, device 102 may include a mobile device and device140 may include a responder station, which is located in a parking zone,e.g., of a shopping mall. According to this example, application 125 mayuse the range information to determine a location of device 102 in theparking zone, for example, to enable a user of device 102 to find aparking area in the parking zone.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include a locationestimator 115 configured to estimate a location of device 102, e.g., asdescribed below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality oflocation estimator 115 may be implemented as part of controller 124.

In other embodiments, the functionality of location estimator 115 may beimplemented as part of any other element of device 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, location estimator 115 may beconfigured to estimate the location of device 102, for example, based ontime based range measurements, for example, with device 140 and/or oneor more other devices.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the time based range measurements maybe performed using WLAN communications, e.g., WiFi. For example, usingWiFi to perform the time based range measurements may enable, forexample, increasing an indoor location accuracy of the locationestimation of device 102, e.g., in an indoor environment.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the time based range measurements mayinclude a round trip time (RTT) measurement (also referred to as Time ofFlight (ToF) procedure).

In some demonstrative embodiments, a ToF value may be defined as theoverall time a signal propagates from a first station, e.g., device 102,to a second station, e.g., device 140, and back to the first station. Adistance between the first and second stations may be determined basedon the ToF value, for example, by dividing the ToF value by two andmultiplying the result by the speed of light.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the ToF measurement procedure mayinclude a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) procedure.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 may beconfigured to perform one or more FTM measurements, ToF measurements,positioning measurements and/or communications, ranging measurementsand/or communications, proximity measurements and/or communications,location estimation measurements and/or communications.

In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may beconfigured to perform any other additional or alternative positioningmeasurements and/or communications, ranging measurements and/orcommunications, proximity measurements and/or communications, locationestimation measurements and/or communications, for example, and/oraccording to any other additional or alternative procedure and/orprotocol, e.g., an Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) procedure.

Some demonstrative embodiments are described below with respect to FTMmeasurements according to an FTM procedure. However, other embodimentsmay be implemented with respect to any other additional or alternativepositioning measurements and/or communications, ranging measurementsand/or communications, proximity measurements and/or communications,location estimation measurements and/or communications.

In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may beconfigured to perform one or more FTM measurements, for example, usingWLAN communications, e.g., WiFi. For example, using WiFi to perform timebased range measurements, e.g., FTM measurements, may enable, forexample, increasing an indoor location accuracy of the mobile devices,e.g., in an indoor environment.

In some demonstrative embodiments, in some cases, implementations and/orscenarios it may not be advantageous and/or effective to perform an FTMprocedure, which may be performed during a plurality of bursts, whichmay include communicating a plurality of FTM measurement frames, and/ora plurality of corresponding acknowledge (Ack) frames. For example anFTM procedure in accordance with the IEEE 802.11REVmc D4.0Specification, may not be affective, e.g., as described below withreference to FIG. 2.

Reference is made to FIG. 2, which schematically illustrates a sequencediagram, which demonstrates operations and interactions between a firstwireless communication device 202 (“Initiating STA” or “initiator”) anda second wireless communication device 240 (“Responding STA” or“responder”), of an FTM procedure 200, in accordance with somedemonstrative embodiments.

FTM procedure 200 may be in accordance with the IEEE 802.11REVmc D4.0Specification, and/or any other specification and/or protocol.

As shown in FIG. 2, device 202 may transmit to device 240 an FTM requestmessage 231 to request to perform the FTM procedure 200 with device 240.

As shown in FIG. 2, device 240 may transmit an FTM requestacknowledgement (ACK) 232 to device 202, to acknowledge receipt of theFTM request message 231, and to confirm the request to perform the FTMprocedure.

As shown in FIG. 2, FTM procedure 200 may include an FTM measurementperiod, during which devices 202 and 240 may communicate FTM measurementframes, e.g., as described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, devices 202 and/or 240 may communicate the FTMmeasurement frames between devices 202 and 240 during the FTMmeasurement period, for example, to determine a Time of Flight (ToF)value between devices 202 and 240.

As shown in FIG. 2, device 240 may determine a time value, denoted t1,based on a time at which an FTM message 234 is transmitted to device202. The time value t1 may be based on a Time of Departure (ToD),denoted ToD(M), of message 234.

As shown in FIG. 2, device 202 may receive message 234 and may determinea time value, denoted t2, e.g., based on a Time of Arrival (ToA),denoted ToA(M), of message 234.

As shown in FIG. 2, device 202 may determine a time value, denoted t3,based on a time at which a message 236 is transmitted to device 240.Message 236 may include, for example, an acknowledgement messagetransmitted in response to FTM message 234. The time value t3 may bebased on a ToD, denoted ToD(ACK), of the message 236.

As shown in FIG. 2, device 240 may receive message 236 and may determinea time value, denoted t4, e.g., based on a ToA, denoted ToA(ACK), ofmessage 236.

As shown in FIG. 2, device 240 may transmit an FTM message 238 to device202. Message 238 may include, for example, information corresponding tothe time value t1 and/or the time value t4. For example, message 238 mayinclude a timestamp, e.g., a ToD timestamp, including the time value t1,and a timestamp, e.g., a ToA timestamp, including the time value t4.

As shown in FIG. 2, device 202 may receive message 238.

As shown in FIG. 2, device 202 may transmit a message 239 to device 240.Message 239 may include, for example, an acknowledgement messagetransmitted in response to message 238.

As shown in FIG. 2, device 240 may transmit an FTM message 242 to device202. Message 242 may include, for example, information corresponding tothe time value t1 and/or the time value t4, e.g., corresponding to themessages 238 and 239. For example, message 242 may include a timestamp,e.g., a ToD timestamp, including the time value t1 corresponding to themessage 238, and a timestamp, e.g., a ToA timestamp, including the timevalue t4 corresponding to message 239.

As shown in FIG. 2, device 202 may receive message 242.

As shown in FIG. 2, device 202 may transmit a message 243 to device 240.Message 239 may include, for example, an acknowledgement messagetransmitted in response to message 242.

Device 202 may determine a ToF between device 202 and device 240, forexample, based on message 238 and/or message 242. For example, device202 may determine the ToF based on an average, or any other function,applied to the time values t1, t2, t3 and t4. For example, device 202may determine the ToF, e.g., as follows:

ToF=[(t4−t1)−(t3t2)]/2  (1)

Device 202 may determine the distance between devices 202 and 240 basedon the calculated ToF.

For example, device 202 may determine the distance, denoted r_(k), e.g.,as follows:

r _(k)=ToF*C  (2)

wherein C denotes the radio wave propagation speed.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 200 may have one ormore disadvantages, inefficiencies and/or technical problems, e.g., asdescribed below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 200 may require atleast three medium usages, e.g., waiting for a clear channel for threetimes.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 200 may have an unknownwaiting time between a first FTM message, e.g., FTM message 234, and asecond FTM message, e.g., FTM message 234. For example, device 202 mayhave to wait between the first and second messages for an unknown time,e.g., due to a calculation time of device 204 (“AP calculation time”),for example, to determine the time value t4.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the requirement to wait for anunknown time period between the first and second FTM messages maysignificantly increase a power consumption of device 202.

In some demonstrative embodiments, when waiting between the first andsecond FTM messages, device 202 may be required to remain off a mainchannel, e.g., a channel over which device 202 communicates with one ormore other devices.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 200 may not supportMulti-Input-Multi-Output (MIMO), for example, since ACK messages, e.g.,messages 236, 239 and/or 243 may be communicated in a duplicate mode.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 200 may provide anon-symmetrical measurement. For example, in one direction, e.g., fromdevice 240 to device 202, the measurement may be performed on a regularpacket, e.g., FTM message 234, while in the other direction themeasurement may be performed on a legacy duplicate ACK, e.g., message236.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 200 may not bescalable, e.g., in terms of an AP computational load. For example, an APcalculation burden of an AP acting as responder device 240 may increase,e.g., as the number of users grows. For example, device 240 may have toperform multiple computations of the time value t4, e.g., if device 240performs multiple FTM measurement with multiple users.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102and/or 140 may be configured to perform operations and/or communicationsof an FTM protocol, which may be configured to provide one or morebenefits, to provide one or more advantages and/or to solve one or moreof the problems and/or shortcomings of the FTM procedure 200 (FIG. 2),e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the FTM protocol may be configured toperform one or more operations, functionalities, procedures, and/orcommunications, for example, in accordance with one or more mechanismsand/or protocols, for example, as described by US Patent ApplicationPublication US 2014/0301219, entitled “Wireless network locationtechniques”, published Oct. 9, 2014; US Patent Application PublicationUS 2015/0168536, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHANNEL INFORMATIONEXCHANGE FOR TIME OF FLIGHT RANGE DETERMINATION”, published Jun. 18,2015; and/or US Patent Application Publication US 2014/0185709, entitled“TRANSMITTER PRECODING FOR OPTIMIZING POSITIONING PERFORMANCE”,published Jul. 3, 2014, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may beconfigured to perform and/or communicate according to an FTM protocol,which may be atomic. For example, the FTM protocol may be performedduring a single medium usage, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may beconfigured to perform and/or communicate according to an FTM protocol,which may be configured to support MIMO and/or precoding techniques,e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may beconfigured to perform and/or communicate according to an FTM protocol,which may be configured to remove a burden of calculation from aresponder device, e.g., an AP, and/or a need of an initiator device,e.g., a client, to wait for calculations performed by the responderdevice.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the FTM protocol may enable improved,and/or increased scalability and/or user experience, e.g., compared tothe FTM procedure 200 (FIG. 2).

In some demonstrative embodiments, the FTM protocol may be configured toutilize one or more Null Data packets (NDPs), for example, in a mannersimilar to a beamforming procedure, e.g., as described below.

Reference is made to FIG. 3, which schematically illustrates aNon-Data-Packet (NDP) sounding protocol 300 between an initiator, e.g.,a beamforming initiator device 302, and a responder, e.g., a beamformingresponder device 340.

As shown in FIG. 3, the beamforming protocol 300 may utilize one or moreNDP transmissions, and/or one or more packet transmissions, e.g., asdescribed below.

As shown in FIG. 3, the initiator device 302 may transmit an NDPannouncement 312, and an NDP transmission 314.

As shown in FIG. 3, NDP transmission 314 may be subsequent to NDPannouncement 312, and may be separated from NDP announcement 312, forexample, by a Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS).

As shown in FIG. 3, the responder device 340 may transmit to theinitiator device 302 a very high throughput (VHT) compressed Beamformingpacket 316 including channel information.

As shown in FIG. 3, packet 316 may be subsequent to NDP 314, and may beseparated from NDP transmission 314 by a SIFS.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, device 102and/or device 140 may be configured to perform the FTM protocol, forexample, using one or more NDPs, for example, in accordance with one ormore operations of beamforming protocol 300 (FIG. 3), e.g., as describedbelow.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 may beconfigured to perform the FTM protocol, for example, using one or moreNDPs, and one or more FTM messages.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may perform thefunctionality of an initiator device to initiate the FTM protocol, anddevice 140 may perform the functionality of a responder device. Forexample, device 140 may include an AP, and/or device 102 may include anon-AP STA, for example, a mobile device, e.g., a Smartphone, which mayinitiate the FTM protocol with the AP, for example, to determine alocation of the mobile device.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include an FTMcomponent 117, and/or device 140 may include an FTM component 157, whichmay be configured to perform one or more FTM measurements, operationsand/or communications, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM components 117 and/or 157 mayinclude, or may be implemented, using suitable circuitry and/or logic,e.g., controller circuitry and/or logic, processor circuitry and/orlogic, memory circuitry and/or logic, and/or any other circuitry and/orlogic, which may be configured to perform at least part of thefunctionality of FTM components 117 and/or 157. Additionally oralternatively, one or more functionalities of FTM components 117 and/or157 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machineand/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configuredto perform one or more operations of, and/or at least part of thefunctionality of, message processor 128 and/or controller 124, forexample, to trigger communication of one or more FTM messages and/orNDPs, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configuredto perform one or more operations of, and/or at least part of thefunctionality of, message processor 158 and/or controller 154, forexample, to trigger communication of one or more FTM messages and/orNDPs, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM components 117 and/or 157 may beconfigured to trigger the FTM measurements, for example, periodicallyand/or or upon a request from an application executed by a device, forexample, to determine an accurate location of the device.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM components 117 and/or 157 may beconfigured to perform one or more measurements according to the FTMprotocol, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM components 117 and/or 157 may beconfigured to perform one or more proximity, ranging, and/or locationestimation measurements, e.g., in an indoor location, based on the FTMmeasurements. For example, the FTM measurements may provide a relativelyaccurate estimation of location, range and/or proximity, e.g., in anindoor location.

Some demonstrative embodiments are described herein with respect to anFTM component, e.g., FTM components 117 and/or 157, configured toperform measurements according to an FTM protocol and/or procedure.However, in other embodiments, the FTM component may be configured toperform any other additional or alternative type of Time of Flight (ToF)measurements, ranging measurements, positioning measurements, proximitymeasurements, and/or location estimation measurements, e.g., accordingto any additional or alternative protocol and/or procedure.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may initiate the FTMprotocol, for example, to determine a location of device 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to transmit an FTM request132 to device 140.

In one example, message processor 128 may generate FTM request 132,and/or transmitter 118 may transmit FTM request 132 to device 140.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may receive FTM request132 from device 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to process FTM request 132from device 102.

In one example, receiver 146 may receive FTM request 132 from device102, and/or message processor 158 may be configured to access, process,and/or decode FTM request 132.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to transmit an NDP 134 todevice 140.

In one example, message processor 128 may generate NDP 134, and/ortransmitter 118 may transmit NDP 134 to device 140.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may receive NDP 134 fromdevice 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to process NDP 134 fromdevice 102.

In one example, receiver 146 may receive NDP 134 from device 102, and/ormessage processor 158 may be configured to access, process, and/ordecode NDP 134.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to transmit an FTM response162 to device 102, for example, after NDP 134, e.g., in response to FTMrequest 132 and/or NDP 134.

In one example, message processor 158 may generate FTM response 162,and/or transmitter 148 may transmit FTM response 162 to device 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may receive the FTMresponse 162 from device 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to process FTM response 162from device 140.

In one example, receiver 116 may receive FTM response 162 from device140, and/or message processor 128 may be configured to access, process,and/or decode FTM response 162.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to transmit an NDP 164 todevice 102, for example, after NDP 134, e.g., in response to FTM request132 and/or NDP 134.

In one example, message processor 158 may generate NDP 164, and/ortransmitter 148 may transmit NDP 164 to device 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may receive the NDP 164from device 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to process NDP 164 fromdevice 140.

In one example, receiver 116 may receive NDP 164 from device 140, and/ormessage processor 128 may be configured to access, process, and/ordecode FTM response 162.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to determine a range betweendevices 102 and 140 based on at least a ToD of the NDP 134, denotedToD(NDP1), and a ToA of the NDP 164, denoted ToA(NDP2), e.g., asdescribed below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to determine the rangebetween devices 102 and 140 based on the ToD(NDP1), a ToA of the NDP134, denoted ToA(NDP1), a ToD of the NDP 164, denoted ToA(NDP2), and theToA(NDP2), e.g., as described below.

For example, the range, denoted r between devices 102 and 140 may becalculated, e.g., as follows:

r={(ToA(NDP2)−ToD(NDP1)−(ToA(NDP2)−ToA(NDP2)))/2}*c  (3)

In some demonstrative embodiments, the FTM response 162 may includeinformation, which may be, for example, different from the informationincluded in the FTM messages 238 and/or 242 (FIG. 2) according to theFTM procedure 200 (FIG. 2), e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the information in FTM response 162may enable device 102 to determine the range between devices 102 and140, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM response 162 may include the ToDof the NDP 164.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may determine theToD of the NDP 164, for example, based on a scheduled time to transmitNDP 164.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the information in FTM response 162may enable device 102 to determine the ToA of the NDP 134, e.g., asdescribed below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM response 162 may include timinginformation indicative of the ToA of the NDP 134.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the timing information indicative ofthe ToA of the NDP 134 may include a time value, which may be based on adetected beginning of a symbol of the NDP 134.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM response 162 may include channelestimation information of a channel between devices 102 and 140, e.g.,as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to determine the ToA(NDP1),based on the time value, and the channel estimation information, e.g.,as described below with reference to FIG. 4.

In some demonstrative embodiments, it may be advantageous to have device140 to determine the time value representing the ToA(NDP1), for example,the time value, which may be based on a detected beginning of a symbolof the NDP 134, e.g., instead of requiring device 140 to determine theTOA(NDP1). For example, the beginning of a symbol of the NDP 134 may bea parameter, which may be received from a modulator-demodulator (MODEM)of device 140, e.g., without requiring device 140 to perform any furtherand/or dedicated calculation.

In some demonstrative embodiments, providing to device 102 the timevalue representing the ToA(NDP1), for example, the time value, which maybe based on a detected beginning of a symbol of the NDP 134, may enabledetermining the ToA(NDP1) at device 102, for example, by performing thechannel analysis at device 102, e.g., based on the channel informationreceived from device 140.

Reference is made to FIG. 4, which schematically illustrates a scheme400 of determining a ToA of a packet, e.g., an NDP, in accordance withsome demonstrative embodiments. For example, the TOA of the NDP 134(FIG. 1) may be determined according to scheme 400.

As shown in FIG. 4, a detected symbol 402 of the packet may bedetermined, e.g., by device 140 (FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 4, a time of a detected beginning 404, denotedRefStart, of the symbol 402, may be determined. For example, the MODEMof device 140 (FIG. 1) may be configured to detect the beginning 404 ofthe symbol 402 of NDP 134 (FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 4, there may be an offset 406, denoted t_(1st), betweenthe detected beginning 404 of the symbol 402 and a ToA of the packet.The offset t_(1st) may be determined, for example, on a channelestimation of the channel over which the packet is received.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the ToA of the packet, e.g., the ToAof the NDP 134 (FIG. 1), may be determined, for example, based on thedetected beginning 404 of the symbol 402 and the offset t_(1st), e.g.,as follows:

ToA=RefStart+t _(1st)−HW-delay  (4)

wherein HW-delay denotes a hardware (HW) delay of a receiver of thepacket, e.g., a delay of device 140 (FIG. 1).

Referring back to FIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, FTMcomponent 157 may be configured to include in FTM response 162 a timevalue indicative of the ToA of the NDP 134, e.g., the ToA(NDP1), forexample, even without actually calculating the ToA of the NDP 134.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the timing information of the NDP 134may include, for example, a time value representing the detectedbeginning of the symbol of NDP 134.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configuredto include in FTM response 162 a time value, which is based on the timevalue RefStart and the delay HW-delay. For example, FTM component 157may be configured to include in FTM response 162 the difference ofRefStart minus HW-delay.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configuredto determine the offset t_(1st), for example, by processing the channelinformation received from device 140 in FTM response 162.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may use the timevalue from device 140, for example, to determine the ToA of the NDP 134(FIG. 1), e.g., according to Equation 4.

In some demonstrative embodiments, determining the ToA of NDP 134 atdevice 102, e.g., based on the channel information and the timinginformation provided by device 140 in FTM response 162, may allow device140 to participate in the FTM procedure, for example, even withoutrequiring device 140 to perform any further and/or dedicated calculationwith respect to the ToA of NDP 134.

In one example, FTM component 157 may be configured to determine thetime value to be included in FTM response 162, for example, bydetermining the detected beginning, e.g., detected beginning 404 (FIG.4), of NDP 134, which may be a parameter from the MODEM of device 140,and the hardware delay of device 140, which may be preconfigured and/orgiven.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may determine theaccurate value of ToA(NDP1), for example, based on the time valuereceived from device 140, and the offset t_(1st).

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may determine theoffset t_(1st) corresponding to NDP 134, for example, based on thechannel estimation information of the channel between devices 102 and140, e.g., as received in FTM response 162.

In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and 140 may be configuredto perform the FTM protocol, e.g., even using only a single mediumusage. For example, devices 102 and 140 may be able to perform the FTMprotocol, for example, by only waiting once for WM 103 to be clear,e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the NDP 134 may be separated from theFTM request 132 by a first SIFS, the FTM response 162 may be separatedfrom the NDP 134 by a second SIFS, and/or the NDP 164 may be separatedfrom the FTM response 162 by a third SIFS, e.g., as described below withreference to FIG. 5.

Reference is made to FIG. 5, which schematically illustrates an FTMprotocol 500 between an initiator 502 and a responder 540, in accordancewith some demonstrative embodiments. For example, initiator 502 mayperform the functionality of device 102 (FIG. 1); and/or responder 540may perform the functionality of device 140 (FIG. 1).

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, initiator 502 maytransmit an FTM request 532 to responder 540. For example, FTM request532 may include FTM request 132 (FIG. 1).

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, initiator 502 maytransmit an NDP 534 to responder 540, e.g., after FTM request 532. Forexample, NDP 534, may include NDP 134 (FIG. 1);

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the NDP 534 maybe separated from the FTM request 532 by a first SIFS 533.

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, responder 540 maytransmit an FTM response 562 to initiator 502, e.g., after NDP 534. Forexample, FTM response 562 may include FTM response 162 (FIG. 1).

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, FTM response 562may be separated from the NDP 534 by a second SIFS 535.

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, responder 540 maytransmit an NDP 564 to initiator 502, e.g., after FTM response 562. Forexample, NDP 564, may include NDP 164 (FIG. 1).

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the NDP 564 maybe separated from the FTM response 562 by a third SIFS 565.

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, one or morecommunications of scheme 500 may be similar to one or morecommunications of NDP sounding protocol 300 (FIG. 3). For example, FTMrequest 532 may replace NDP announce 312 (FIG. 3); and/or FTM response562 may replace packet 316 (FIG. 3), e.g., the VHT compressed channelmessage.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM response 562 may include achannel response as received by responder 540, e.g., as described above.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, using NDPsin the FTM protocol, e.g., as described above, may enable usage of MIMOtransmissions for the FTM protocol, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to transmit the NDP 134 overa MIMO channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to receive the NDP 134 overthe MIMO channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to transmit the NDP 164 overthe MIMO channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to receive the NDP 164 overthe MIMO channel.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to determine an angle ofarrival and/or an angle of departure of NDP 134, e.g., based on the MIMOtransmission of NDP 134.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to determine an angle ofarrival and/or an angle of departure of NDP 164, e.g., based on the MIMOtransmission of NDP 164.

In some demonstrative embodiments, determining an angle of arrivaland/or an angle of departure of NDP 164 may enable to reduce a number ofFTM measurements, for example, to determine a location of device 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, determining an angle of arrivaland/or an angle of departure of NDP 164 may increase an accuracy of alocation estimation of device 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, another version of the FTM protocolmay be based on switching transmissions of the FTM response 162 and theNDP 164. For example, the NDP 164 may be communicated before the FTMresponse 162.

In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configuredto control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to transmit the NDP 164prior to FTM response message 162.

Reference is made to FIG. 6, which schematically illustrates a sequencediagram 600, which depicts operations and communications between aninitiator device 602 and a responder device 640, in accordance with somedemonstrative embodiments. For example, initiator 602 may perform thefunctionality of device 102 (FIG. 1); and/or responder 640 may performthe functionality of device 140 (FIG. 1).

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the initiatordevice 602 may transmit an FTM request 632 message to the responderdevice 640. For example, FTM request 632 may include FTM request 132(FIG. 1).

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the responderdevice 640 may process the FTM request 632 from the initiator device602.

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the initiatordevice 602 may transmit a first NDP 634, denoted NDP1, to the responderdevice 640. For example, NDP 634 may include NDP 134 (FIG. 1).

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, device 602 maydetermine a time value, denoted t1, based on a time a ToD, denotedToD(NDP1), of NDP 634, for example, t1=TOD(NDP1).

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the responderdevice 640 may process the first NDP 634 from the initiator device 602.

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, device 640 maydetermine a time value, denoted t_(2′), indicative of a ToA, denotedToA(NDP1), of NDP 634. In one example, the time value t_(2′) may bebased on a detected beginning of a symbol of the NDP 634. For example,the time value t_(2′) may be determined based on the timing valuesRefStart and the delay HW-delay, for example, as described above withreference to FIG. 4, e.g., as follows:

t _(2′)=RefStart−HW-delay  (5)

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the responderdevice 640 may transmit an FTM response message 662 to the initiatordevice 602. For example, FTM response 662 may perform the functionalityof FTM response 162 (FIG. 1).

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the initiatordevice 602 may process the FTM response 662 from the responder device640.

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the responderdevice 640 may transmit a second NDP 664, denoted NDP2, to the initiatordevice 602. For example, NDP 664 may perform the functionality of NDP164 (FIG. 1).

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, device 640 maydetermine a time value, denoted t3, based on a ToD, denoted ToD(NDP2),of NDP 664, for example, t3=TOD(NDP2).

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, FTM response 662may include, for example, information corresponding to the time valuet_(2′), the time value t3, and/or channel information of a channelbetween initiator device 602 and responder device 640, for example,which may be determined based on the NDP 634.

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the initiatordevice 602 may process the second NDP 664 from the responder device 640.

In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, device 602 maydetermine a time value, denoted t4, based on a ToA, denoted ToA(NDP2),of NDP 664, for example, t4=TOA(NDP2).

In some demonstrative embodiments, device 640 may determine a timevalue, denoted t2, including the ToA(NDP1), e.g., t2=TOA(NDP1), forexample, based on the time value t_(2′), and the offset t_(1st), whichmay be determined, for example, based on channel information of thechannel between initiator device 602 and responder device 640, e.g., asfollows:

t ₂ =t _(2′) +t _(1st)  (6)

In some demonstrative embodiments, the initiator device 602 may beconfigured to determine a ToF between responder device 640 and initiatordevice 602, for example, based on a computation, applied to the timevalues t1, t2, t3 and t4. For example, initiator device 602 maydetermine the ToF, e.g., as follows:

ToF=[(t4−t1)−(t3−t2)]/2  (7)

In some demonstrative embodiments, the initiator device 602 maydetermine the range between devices 602 and 640 based on the calculatedToF, e.g., according to Equation 2.

Referring back to FIG. 1, In some demonstrative embodiments, an FTMprotocol including the communication of NDPs 164 and 134 may provide oneor more advantages, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, an FTM protocol including thecommunication of NDPs 164 and 134 may enable, for example, symmetricalcalculation, for example, since NDPs 164 and 134 may be communicated inboth directions, e.g., NDP 134 from device 102 to device 140, and NDP164 from device 140 to device 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the symmetrical calculation mayenable both sides to perform measurements on the same type of packet,e.g., the NDP. This aspect may provide an important benefit, forexample, when performance of ranging is determined equally by both sidesand, if, for example, a measurement of one side is degraded, the entiremeasurement may be affected.

In some demonstrative embodiments, NDPs 164 and 134 may include asounding packet, which may be configured, for example, according to anNDP used for beamforming (BF). This NDP may be used for ranging, forexample, according to the FTM protocol.

In some demonstrative embodiments, NDPs 164 and 134 may enable toachieve diversity, for example, by using more than one antenna. Forexample, if a Line of Sight (LoS) cannot be detected in one Tx-Rxchannel, another pair may be used.

In some demonstrative embodiments, NDPs 164 and 134 may enable anadditional gain, e.g., in contrast to a regular BF, for example, bytransmitting many preambles in an NDP, e.g., instead of just onepreamble for each antenna. For example, transmission may be performed inmany different directions, e.g., such that one of the directions mayinclude the LoS direction, which may be easier to identify on the otherside.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the FTM protocol described herein mayenable single Medium usage, e.g., wherein all packets are communicated aShort Inter-frame Space (SIFS) apart, e.g., as described above withreference to FIG. 5.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the FTM protocol described herein mayeliminate a need of an initiating device to wait for a calculation ofthe TOA of the NDP received at the responder, e.g., by allowing theinitiator to perform the calculation of the ToA of the NDP, e.g., asdescribed above. For example, the initiating device may be allowed toreturn to a main channel, or go to a sleep mode, e.g., instead ofwaiting for the calculation.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the FTM protocol described herein mayenable, for example, a full MIMO and/or precoding support.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the FTM protocol described herein mayenable, for example, a symmetrical measurement, e.g., as both sides mayperform measurements on an NDP.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the FTM protocol described herein mayenable, for example, a very short measurement time for an FTMmeasurement, e.g., about 0.5 milliseconds (ms).

In some demonstrative embodiments, the FTM protocol described herein mayenable, for example, a scalable mechanism, for example, as theinitiating device may perform computations, for example, including thecalculation of the ToA of the NDP sent to the responder device, e.g., asdescribed above, for example, while reducing the burden of thecomputations at the responder. In one example, a maximum of about fiveadditional calculations per second may be performed at the initiatingdevice, for example, to calculate the ToA of the NDP sent to theresponder device, e.g., as described above.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the FTM protocol described herein mayenable, for example, the initiating device to be dependent only on itsown algorithm of line of sight (LoS) detection.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the FTM protocol described herein maybe advantageous in one or more additional or alternative aspects.

Reference is made to FIG. 7, which schematically illustrates a method ofFTM, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For example, oneor more of the operations of the method of FIG. 7 may be performed by awireless communication system, e.g., system 100 (FIG. 1); a wirelesscommunication device, e.g., devices 102 and/or 140 (FIG. 1); acontroller, e.g., controllers 124 and/or 154 (FIG. 1); an FTM component,e.g., FTM components 117 and/or 157 (FIG. 1); a location estimator,e.g., location estimator 115 (FIG. 1); a radio, e.g., radios 114 and/or144 (FIG. 1); a message processor, e.g., message processor 128 (FIG. 1)and/or message processor 158 (FIG. 1), a transmitter, e.g., transmitters118 and/or 148 (FIG. 1); and/or a receiver, e.g., receivers 116 and/or146 (FIG. 1).

As indicated at block 702, the method may include transmitting an FTMrequest message from a first wireless station to a second wirelessstation. For example, FTM component 117 (FIG. 1) may control, causeand/or trigger device 102 to transmit the FTM request message 632 (FIG.6) to device 140 (FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block 704, the method may include transmitting a firstNDP from the first wireless station to the second wireless station. Forexample, FTM component 117 (FIG. 1) may control, cause and/or triggerdevice 102 to transmit the NDP 634 (FIG. 6) to device 140 (FIG. 1),e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block 706, the method may include processing an FTMresponse message from the second wireless station. For example, FTMcomponent 117 (FIG. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger device 102 toprocess the FTM response 662 (FIG. 6) from device 140 (FIG. 1), e.g., asdescribed above.

As indicated at block 708, the method may include processing a secondNDP from the second wireless station. For example, FTM component 117(FIG. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to process the NDP664 (FIG. 6) from device 140 (FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block 710, the method may include determining a rangebetween the first and second wireless stations based at least on a Timeof Departure (ToD) of the first NDP, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of thesecond NDP. For example, FTM component 117 (FIG. 1) may determine therange between devices 102 and 140 (FIG. 1), for example, based on theTOD(NDP1) of NDP 634 (FIG. 6) and the TOA(NDP2) of NDP 664 (FIG. 6),e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block 712, determining the range between the first andsecond wireless stations may include determining the range based atleast on the Time of Departure (ToD) of the first NDP, the Time ofArrival (ToA) of the second NDP, a ToD of the second NDP, and a ToA ofthe first NDP. For example, FTM component 117 (FIG. 1) may determine therange between devices 102 and 140 (FIG. 1), for example, based on theTOD(NDP1) of NDP 634 (FIG. 6), the TOA(NDP2) of NDP 664 (FIG. 6), theTOA(NDP1) of NDP 634 (FIG. 6), and the TOD(NDP2) of NDP 664 (FIG. 6),e.g., as described above.

Reference is made to FIG. 8, which schematically illustrates a productof manufacture 800, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.Product 800 may include one or more tangible computer-readablenon-transitory storage media 802, which may include computer-executableinstructions, e.g., implemented by logic 804, operable to, when executedby at least one computer processor, enable the at least one computerprocessor to implement one or more operations at devices 102 and/or 140(FIG. 1), radios 114 and/or 144 (FIG. 1), transmitters 118 and/or 148(FIG. 1), receivers 116 and/or 146 (FIG. 1), controllers 124 and/or 154(FIG. 1), message processors 128 and/or 158 (FIG. 1), FTM components 117and/or 157 (FIG. 1), location estimator 115 (FIG. 1), and/or to performone or more operations descried above with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6 and/or 7, and/or one or more operations described herein. Thephrase “non-transitory machine-readable medium” is directed to includeall computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitorypropagating signal.

In some demonstrative embodiments, product 800 and/or machine-readablestorage medium 802 may include one or more types of computer-readablestorage media capable of storing data, including volatile memory,non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable ornon-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and the like. Forexample, machine-readable storage medium 802 may include, RAM, DRAM,Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDR-DRAM), SDRAM, static RAM (SRAM), ROM,programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), Compact Disk ROM (CD-ROM), CompactDisk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), flash memory(e.g., NOR or NAND flash memory), content addressable memory (CAM),polymer memory, phase-change memory, ferroelectric memory,silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, a disk, a floppydisk, a hard drive, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a card, a magneticcard, an optical card, a tape, a cassette, and the like. Thecomputer-readable storage media may include any suitable media involvedwith downloading or transferring a computer program from a remotecomputer to a requesting computer carried by data signals embodied in acarrier wave or other propagation medium through a communication link,e.g., a modem, radio or network connection.

In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 804 may include instructions,data, and/or code, which, if executed by a machine, may cause themachine to perform a method, process and/or operations as describedherein. The machine may include, for example, any suitable processingplatform, computing platform, computing device, processing device,computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or the like,and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware,software, firmware, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 804 may include, or may beimplemented as, software, a software module, an application, a program,a subroutine, instructions, an instruction set, computing code, words,values, symbols, and the like. The instructions may include any suitabletype of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code,executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Theinstructions may be implemented according to a predefined computerlanguage, manner or syntax, for instructing a processor to perform acertain function. The instructions may be implemented using any suitablehigh-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/orinterpreted programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Matlab,Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, and the like.

Examples

The following examples pertain to further embodiments.

Example 1 includes an apparatus comprising circuitry and logicconfigured to cause a first wireless station to transmit a Fine Timingmeasurement (FTM) request message to a second wireless station; transmita first Non Data Packet (NDP) to the second wireless station; process anFTM response message from the second wireless station; and process asecond NDP from the second wireless station.

Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and optionally,wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless stationto determine a range between the first and second wireless stationsbased at least on a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first NDP, and a Timeof Arrival (ToA) of the second NDP.

Example 3 includes the subject matter of Example 1 or 2, and optionally,wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless stationto determine a range between the first and second wireless stationsbased at least on a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first NDP, a Time ofArrival (ToA) of the first NDP, a ToD of the second NDP, and a ToA ofthe second NDP.

Example 4 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-3, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing informationindicative of a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time ofDeparture (ToD) of the second NDP.

Example 5 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-4, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing information of thefirst NDP, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second NDP, and channelestimation information.

Example 6 includes the subject matter of Example 5, and optionally,wherein the timing information of the first NDP comprises a time value,which is based on a detected beginning of a symbol of the first NDP.

Example 7 includes the subject matter of Example 5 or 6, and optionally,wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless stationto determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, based on thetiming information of the first NDP and the channel estimationinformation.

Example 8 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-7, andoptionally, wherein the first NDP is separated from the FTM request by afirst Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS), the FTM response is separated fromthe first NDP by a second SIFS, and the second NDP is separated from theFTM response by a third SIFS.

Example 9 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-8, andoptionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the firstwireless station to transmit the first NDP over a Multiple In MultipleOut (MIMO) channel.

Example 10 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-9, andoptionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the firstwireless station to determine, based on the second NDP, at least oneangle selected from the group consisting of an angle of arrival of thesecond NDP, and an angle of departure of the second NDP.

Example 11 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-10, andoptionally, wherein the second NDP is prior to the FTM response message.

Example 12 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-11, andoptionally, comprising a radio to transmit the FTM request and the firstNDP, and to receive the FTM response and the second NDP.

Example 13 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-12, andoptionally, comprising one or more antennas, a memory, and a processor.

Example 14 includes a system of wireless communication comprising afirst wireless station, the first wireless station comprising one ormore antennas; a memory; a processor; a radio; and a controllerconfigured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a Fine Timingmeasurement (FTM) request message to a second wireless station; transmita first Non Data Packet (NDP) to the second wireless station; process anFTM response message from the second wireless station; and process asecond NDP from the second wireless station.

Example 15 includes the subject matter of Example 14, and optionally,wherein the first wireless station to determine a range between thefirst and second wireless stations based at least on a Time of Departure(ToD) of the first NDP, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second NDP.

Example 16 includes the subject matter of Example 14 or 15, andoptionally, wherein the first wireless station is to determine a rangebetween the first and second wireless stations based at least on a Timeof Departure (ToD) of the first NDP, a Time of Arrival (ToA) of thefirst NDP, a ToD of the second NDP, and a ToA of the second NDP.

Example 17 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-16, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing informationindicative of a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time ofDeparture (ToD) of the second NDP.

Example 18 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-17, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing information of thefirst NDP, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second NDP, and channelestimation information.

Example 19 includes the subject matter of Example 18, and optionally,wherein the timing information of the first NDP comprises a time value,which is based on a detected beginning of a symbol of the first NDP.

Example 20 includes the subject matter of Example 18 or 19, andoptionally, wherein the first wireless station is to determine a Time ofArrival (ToA) of the first NDP, based on the timing information of thefirst NDP and the channel estimation information.

Example 21 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-20, andoptionally, wherein the first NDP is separated from the FTM request by afirst Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS), the FTM response is separated fromthe first NDP by a second SIFS, and the second NDP is separated from theFTM response by a third SIFS.

Example 22 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-21, andoptionally, wherein the first wireless station is to transmit the firstNDP over a Multiple In Multiple Out (MIMO) channel.

Example 23 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-22, andoptionally, wherein the first wireless station is to determine, based onthe second NDP, at least one angle selected from the group consisting ofan angle of arrival of the second NDP, and an angle of departure of thesecond NDP.

Example 24 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-23, andoptionally, wherein the second NDP is prior to the FTM response message.

Example 25 includes a method to be performed at a first wirelessstation, the method comprising transmitting a Fine Timing measurement(FTM) request message to a second wireless station; transmitting a firstNon Data Packet (NDP) to the second wireless station; processing an FTMresponse message from the second wireless station; and processing asecond NDP from the second wireless station.

Example 26 includes the subject matter of Example 25, and optionally,comprising determining a range between the first and second wirelessstations based at least on a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first NDP,and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second NDP.

Example 27 includes the subject matter of Example 25 or 26, andoptionally, comprising determining a range between the first and secondwireless stations based at least on a Time of Departure (ToD) of thefirst NDP, a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, a ToD of the secondNDP, and a ToA of the second NDP.

Example 28 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-27, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing informationindicative of a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time ofDeparture (ToD) of the second NDP.

Example 29 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-28, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing information of thefirst NDP, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second NDP, and channelestimation information.

Example 30 includes the subject matter of Example 29, and optionally,wherein the timing information of the first NDP comprises a time value,which is based on a detected beginning of a symbol of the first NDP.

Example 31 includes the subject matter of Example 29 or 30, andoptionally, comprising determining a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the firstNDP, based on the timing information of the first NDP and the channelestimation information.

Example 32 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-31, andoptionally, wherein the first NDP is separated from the FTM request by afirst Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS), the FTM response is separated fromthe first NDP by a second SIFS, and the second NDP is separated from theFTM response by a third SIFS.

Example 33 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-32, andoptionally, comprising transmitting the first NDP over a Multiple InMultiple Out (MIMO) channel.

Example 34 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-33, andoptionally, comprising determining, based on the second NDP, at leastone angle selected from the group consisting of an angle of arrival ofthe second NDP, and an angle of departure of the second NDP.

Example 35 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-34, andoptionally, wherein the second NDP is prior to the FTM response message.

Example 36 includes a product including one or more tangiblecomputer-readable non-transitory storage media comprisingcomputer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at leastone computer processor, enable the at least one computer processor toimplement operations at a first wireless station, the operationscomprising transmitting a Fine Timing measurement (FTM) request messageto a second wireless station; transmitting a first Non Data Packet (NDP)to the second wireless station; processing an FTM response message fromthe second wireless station; and processing a second NDP from the secondwireless station.

Example 37 includes the subject matter of Example 36, and optionally,wherein the operations comprise determining a range between the firstand second wireless stations based at least on a Time of Departure (ToD)of the first NDP, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second NDP.

Example 38 includes the subject matter of Example 36 or 37, andoptionally, wherein the operations comprise determining a range betweenthe first and second wireless stations based at least on a Time ofDeparture (ToD) of the first NDP, a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the firstNDP, a ToD of the second NDP, and a ToA of the second NDP.

Example 39 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-38, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing informationindicative of a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time ofDeparture (ToD) of the second NDP.

Example 40 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-39, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing information of thefirst NDP, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second NDP, and channelestimation information.

Example 41 includes the subject matter of Example 40, and optionally,wherein the timing information of the first NDP comprises a time value,which is based on a detected beginning of a symbol of the first NDP.

Example 42 includes the subject matter of Example 40 or 41, andoptionally, wherein the operations comprise determining a Time ofArrival (ToA) of the first NDP, based on the timing information of thefirst NDP and the channel estimation information.

Example 43 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-42, andoptionally, wherein the first NDP is separated from the FTM request by afirst Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS), the FTM response is separated fromthe first NDP by a second SIFS, and the second NDP is separated from theFTM response by a third SIFS.

Example 44 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-43, andoptionally, wherein the operations comprise transmitting the first NDPover a Multiple In Multiple Out (MIMO) channel.

Example 45 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-44, andoptionally, wherein the operations comprise determining, based on thesecond NDP, at least one angle selected from the group consisting of anangle of arrival of the second NDP, and an angle of departure of thesecond NDP.

Example 46 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-45, andoptionally, wherein the second NDP is prior to the FTM response message.

Example 47 includes an apparatus of wireless communication by a firstwireless station, the apparatus comprising means for transmitting a FineTiming measurement (FTM) request message to a second wireless station;means for transmitting a first Non Data Packet (NDP) to the secondwireless station; means for processing an FTM response message from thesecond wireless station; and means for processing a second NDP from thesecond wireless station.

Example 48 includes the subject matter of Example 47, and optionally,comprising means for determining a range between the first and secondwireless stations based at least on a Time of Departure (ToD) of thefirst NDP, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second NDP.

Example 49 includes the subject matter of Example 47 or 48, andoptionally, comprising means for determining a range between the firstand second wireless stations based at least on a Time of Departure (ToD)of the first NDP, a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, a ToD of thesecond NDP, and a ToA of the second NDP.

Example 50 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-49, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing informationindicative of a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time ofDeparture (ToD) of the second NDP.

Example 51 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-50, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing information of thefirst NDP, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second NDP, and channelestimation information.

Example 52 includes the subject matter of Example 51, and optionally,wherein the timing information of the first NDP comprises a time value,which is based on a detected beginning of a symbol of the first NDP.

Example 53 includes the subject matter of Example 51 or 52, andoptionally, comprising means for determining a Time of Arrival (ToA) ofthe first NDP, based on the timing information of the first NDP and thechannel estimation information.

Example 54 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-53, andoptionally, wherein the first NDP is separated from the FTM request by afirst Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS), the FTM response is separated fromthe first NDP by a second SIFS, and the second NDP is separated from theFTM response by a third SIFS.

Example 55 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-54, andoptionally, comprising means for transmitting the first NDP over aMultiple In Multiple Out (MIMO) channel.

Example 56 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-55, andoptionally, comprising means for determining, based on the second NDP,at least one angle selected from the group consisting of an angle ofarrival of the second NDP, and an angle of departure of the second NDP.

Example 57 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-56, andoptionally, wherein the second NDP is prior to the FTM response message.

Example 58 includes an apparatus comprising circuitry and logicconfigured to cause a first wireless station to process a Fine Timingmeasurement (FTM) request message from a second wireless station;process a first Non Data Packet (NDP) from the second wireless station;transmit an FTM response message to the second wireless station; andtransmit a second NDP to the second wireless station.

Example 59 includes the subject matter of Example 58, and optionally,wherein the FTM response comprises timing information indicative of aTime of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time of Departure (ToD) ofthe second NDP.

Example 60 includes the subject matter of Example 58 or 59, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing information of thefirst NDP, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second NDP, and channelestimation information.

Example 61 includes the subject matter of Example 60, and optionally,wherein the timing information of the first NDP comprises a time value,which is based on a detected beginning of a symbol of the first NDP.

Example 62 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-61, andoptionally, wherein the first NDP is separated from the FTM request by afirst Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS), the FTM response is separated fromthe first NDP by a second SIFS, and the second NDP is separated from theFTM response by a third SIFS.

Example 63 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-62, andoptionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the firstwireless station to transmit the second NDP over a Multiple In MultipleOut (MIMO) channel.

Example 64 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-63, andoptionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the firstwireless station to determine, based on the first NDP, at least oneangle selected from the group consisting of an angle of arrival of thefirst NDP, and an angle of departure of the first NDP.

Example 65 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-64, andoptionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the firstwireless station to transmit the second NDP prior to the FTM responsemessage.

Example 66 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-65, andoptionally, comprising a radio to receive the FTM request and the firstNDP, and to transmit the FTM response and the second NDP.

Example 67 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-66, andoptionally, comprising one or more antennas, a memory, and a processor.

Example 68 includes a system of wireless communication comprising afirst wireless station, the first wireless station comprising one ormore antennas; a memory; a processor; a radio; and a controllerconfigured to cause the first wireless station to process a Fine Timingmeasurement (FTM) request message from a second wireless station;process a first Non Data Packet (NDP) from the second wireless station;transmit an FTM response message to the second wireless station; andtransmit a second NDP to the second wireless station.

Example 69 includes the subject matter of Example 68, and optionally,wherein the FTM response comprises timing information indicative of aTime of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time of Departure (ToD) ofthe second NDP.

Example 70 includes the subject matter of Example 68 or 69, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing information of thefirst NDP, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second NDP, and channelestimation information.

Example 71 includes the subject matter of Example 70, and optionally,wherein the timing information of the first NDP comprises a time value,which is based on a detected beginning of a symbol of the first NDP.

Example 72 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 68-71, andoptionally, wherein the first NDP is separated from the FTM request by afirst Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS), the FTM response is separated fromthe first NDP by a second SIFS, and the second NDP is separated from theFTM response by a third SIFS.

Example 73 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 68-72, andoptionally, wherein the first wireless station is to transmit the secondNDP over a Multiple In Multiple Out (MIMO) channel.

Example 74 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 68-73, andoptionally, wherein the first wireless station is to determine, based onthe first NDP, at least one angle selected from the group consisting ofan angle of arrival of the first NDP, and an angle of departure of thefirst NDP.

Example 75 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 68-74, andoptionally, wherein the first wireless station is to transmit the secondNDP prior to the FTM response message.

Example 76 includes a method to be performed at a first wirelessstation, the method comprising processing a Fine Timing measurement(FTM) request message from a second wireless station; processing a firstNon Data Packet (NDP) from the second wireless station; transmitting anFTM response message to the second wireless station; and transmitting asecond NDP to the second wireless station.

Example 77 includes the subject matter of Example 76, and optionally,wherein the FTM response comprises timing information indicative of aTime of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time of Departure (ToD) ofthe second NDP.

Example 78 includes the subject matter of Example 76 or 77, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing information of thefirst NDP, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second NDP, and channelestimation information.

Example 79 includes the subject matter of Example 78, and optionally,wherein the timing information of the first NDP comprises a time value,which is based on a detected beginning of a symbol of the first NDP.

Example 80 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 76-79, andoptionally, wherein the first NDP is separated from the FTM request by afirst Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS), the FTM response is separated fromthe first NDP by a second SIFS, and the second NDP is separated from theFTM response by a third SIFS.

Example 81 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 76-80, andoptionally, comprising transmitting the second NDP over a Multiple InMultiple Out (MIMO) channel.

Example 82 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 76-81, andoptionally, comprising determining, based on the first NDP, at least oneangle selected from the group consisting of an angle of arrival of thefirst NDP, and an angle of departure of the first NDP.

Example 83 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 76-82, andoptionally, comprising transmitting the second NDP prior to the FTMresponse message.

Example 84 includes a product including one or more tangiblecomputer-readable non-transitory storage media comprisingcomputer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at leastone computer processor, enable the at least one computer processor toimplement operations at a first wireless station, the operationscomprising processing a Fine Timing measurement (FTM) request messagefrom a second wireless station; processing a first Non Data Packet (NDP)from the second wireless station; transmitting an FTM response messageto the second wireless station; and transmitting a second NDP to thesecond wireless station.

Example 85 includes the subject matter of Example 84, and optionally,wherein the FTM response comprises timing information indicative of aTime of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time of Departure (ToD) ofthe second NDP.

Example 86 includes the subject matter of Example 84 or 85, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing information of thefirst NDP, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second NDP, and channelestimation information.

Example 87 includes the subject matter of Example 86, and optionally,wherein the timing information of the first NDP comprises a time value,which is based on a detected beginning of a symbol of the first NDP.

Example 88 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 84-87, andoptionally, wherein the first NDP is separated from the FTM request by afirst Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS), the FTM response is separated fromthe first NDP by a second SIFS, and the second NDP is separated from theFTM response by a third SIFS.

Example 89 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 84-88, andoptionally, wherein the operations comprise transmitting the second NDPover a Multiple In Multiple Out (MIMO) channel.

Example 90 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 84-89, andoptionally, wherein the operations comprise determining, based on thefirst NDP, at least one angle selected from the group consisting of anangle of arrival of the first NDP, and an angle of departure of thefirst NDP.

Example 91 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 84-90, andoptionally, wherein the operations comprise transmitting the second NDPprior to the FTM response message.

Example 92 includes an apparatus of wireless communication by a firstwireless station, the first wireless station means for processing a FineTiming measurement (FTM) request message from a second wireless station;means for processing a first Non Data Packet (NDP) from the secondwireless station; means for transmitting an FTM response message to thesecond wireless station; and means for transmitting a second NDP to thesecond wireless station.

Example 93 includes the subject matter of Example 92, and optionally,wherein the FTM response comprises timing information indicative of aTime of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time of Departure (ToD) ofthe second NDP.

Example 94 includes the subject matter of Example 92 or 93, andoptionally, wherein the FTM response comprises timing information of thefirst NDP, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second NDP, and channelestimation information.

Example 95 includes the subject matter of Example 94, and optionally,wherein the timing information of the first NDP comprises a time value,which is based on a detected beginning of a symbol of the first NDP.

Example 96 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 92-95, andoptionally, wherein the first NDP is separated from the FTM request by afirst Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS), the FTM response is separated fromthe first NDP by a second SIFS, and the second NDP is separated from theFTM response by a third SIFS.

Example 97 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 92-96, andoptionally, comprising means for transmitting the second NDP over aMultiple In Multiple Out (MIMO) channel.

Example 98 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 92-97, andoptionally, comprising means for determining, based on the first NDP, atleast one angle selected from the group consisting of an angle ofarrival of the first NDP, and an angle of departure of the first NDP.

Example 99 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 92-98, andoptionally, comprising means for transmitting the second NDP prior tothe FTM response message.

Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein withreference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may beutilized in combination with, one or more other functions, operations,components and/or features described herein with reference to one ormore other embodiments, or vice versa.

While certain features of have been illustrated and described herein,many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur tothose skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that theappended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changesas fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising circuitry and logicconfigured to cause a first wireless station to: transmit a Fine Timingmeasurement (FTM) request message to a second wireless station; transmita first Non Data Packet (NDP) to the second wireless station; process anFTM response message from the second wireless station; and process asecond NDP from the second wireless station.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a rangebetween the first and second wireless stations based at least on a Timeof Departure (ToD) of the first NDP, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of thesecond NDP.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 configured to cause the firstwireless station to determine a range between the first and secondwireless stations based at least on a Time of Departure (ToD) of thefirst NDP, a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP, a ToD of the secondNDP, and a ToA of the second NDP.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe FTM response comprises timing information indicative of a Time ofArrival (ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time of Departure (ToD) of thesecond NDP.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the FTM responsecomprises timing information of the first NDP, a Time of Departure (ToD)of the second NDP, and channel estimation information.
 6. The apparatusof claim 5, wherein the timing information of the first NDP comprises atime value, which is based on a detected beginning of a symbol of saidfirst NDP.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 configured to cause the firstwireless station to determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first NDP,based on the timing information of the first NDP and said channelestimation information.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstNDP is separated from the FTM request by a first Short Inter-Frame Space(SIFS), the FTM response is separated from the first NDP by a secondSIFS, and the second NDP is separated from the FTM response by a thirdSIFS.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 configured to cause the first wirelessstation to transmit the first NDP over a Multiple In Multiple Out (MIMO)channel.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 configured to cause the firstwireless station to determine, based on the second NDP, at least oneangle selected from the group consisting of an angle of arrival of thesecond NDP, and an angle of departure of the second NDP.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the second NDP is prior to said FTMresponse message.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a radio totransmit the FTM request and the first NDP, and to receive the FTMresponse and the second NDP.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising oneor more antennas, a memory, and a processor.
 14. A product including oneor more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage mediacomprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executedby at least one computer processor, enable the at least one computerprocessor to implement operations at a first wireless station, theoperations comprising: transmitting a Fine Timing measurement (FTM)request message to a second wireless station; transmitting a first NonData Packet (NDP) to the second wireless station; processing an FTMresponse message from the second wireless station; and processing asecond NDP from the second wireless station.
 15. The product of claim14, wherein the operations comprise determining a range between thefirst and second wireless stations based at least on a Time of Departure(ToD) of the first NDP, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second NDP.16. An apparatus comprising circuitry and logic configured to cause afirst wireless station to: process a Fine Timing measurement (FTM)request message from a second wireless station; process a first Non DataPacket (NDP) from the second wireless station; transmit an FTM responsemessage to the second wireless station; and transmit a second NDP to thesecond wireless station.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the FTMresponse comprises timing information indicative of a Time of Arrival(ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second NDP.18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the FTM response comprises timinginformation of the first NDP, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the secondNDP, and channel estimation information.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18,wherein the timing information of the first NDP comprises a time value,which is based on a detected beginning of a symbol of said first NDP.20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first NDP is separated fromthe FTM request by a first Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS), the FTMresponse is separated from the first NDP by a second SIFS, and thesecond NDP is separated from the FTM response by a third SIFS.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 16 configured to cause the first wireless station totransmit the second NDP over a Multiple In Multiple Out (MIMO) channel.22. The apparatus of claim 16 configured to cause the first wirelessstation to transmit the second NDP prior to said FTM response message.23. The apparatus of claim 16 comprising one or more antennas, a memory,and a processor.
 24. A product including one or more tangiblecomputer-readable non-transitory storage media comprisingcomputer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at leastone computer processor, enable the at least one computer processor toimplement operations at a first wireless station, the operationscomprising: processing a Fine Timing measurement (FTM) request messagefrom a second wireless station; processing a first Non Data Packet (NDP)from the second wireless station; transmitting an FTM response messageto the second wireless station; and transmitting a second NDP to thesecond wireless station.
 25. The product of claim 24, wherein the FTMresponse comprises timing information indicative of a Time of Arrival(ToA) of the first NDP, and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second NDP.